“Visitation Is Now Allowed For All Residents At All Times”Citing high vaccination rates for residents (86%) and staff (74%); interim final rules with comment (published at 86 Fed. Reg. 61555 (Nov. 4, 2021)) requiring staff to be vaccinated … [Read more...] about CMS Revises Visitation Rules for Nursing Facilities
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2022 Medicare Cost-Sharing Rates Released
On November 12, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2022 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs.Each year, Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayment … [Read more...] about 2022 Medicare Cost-Sharing Rates Released
New Analysis Provides More Evidence of Wasteful Medicare Advantage Overpayments
Kaiser Health News recently published an article by Fred Schulte titled “Researcher: Medicare Advantage Plans Costing Billions More Than They Should” (Nov. 11, 2021). Schulte highlights research by Richard Kronick, U.C. San Diego, analyzing … [Read more...] about New Analysis Provides More Evidence of Wasteful Medicare Advantage Overpayments
Increased Medicare Costs for 2022 – A Look Behind the Numbers
On November 12, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released 2022 Medicare cost-sharing, premium and co-pay amounts. Most significantly, the monthly Part B premium is increasing from $148.50 in 2021 to $170.10 in … [Read more...] about Increased Medicare Costs for 2022 – A Look Behind the Numbers
HHS Inspector General Calls on CMS to Address Medicare Observation Status
In an annual report, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) identifies 25 top recommendations that it made in prior years about HHS programs that HHS has not implemented. This year’s report on Top … [Read more...] about HHS Inspector General Calls on CMS to Address Medicare Observation Status
Landscape of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Plans in 2022
The Kaiser Family Foundation recently released reports on Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plan offerings in 2022. The MA report notes that “[f]or 2022, the average Medicare beneficiary has access to 39 Medicare Advantage plans, more than … [Read more...] about Landscape of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D Plans in 2022
As the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Progresses, Beware of Marketing Misconduct
We are now roughly half-way through the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which ends on December 7 – the time during which people can compare, change and/or get out of Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D plans for the following calendar … [Read more...] about As the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Progresses, Beware of Marketing Misconduct
Eileen Ossen: In Memory, With Gratitude
The Center for Medicare Advocacy joins in sorrow with the family, friends, and CT community upon the death of Eileen Ossen. Eileen was a wonderful person with an innate optimism, generosity, and easy smile. She and her husband Jeff, for whom she … [Read more...] about Eileen Ossen: In Memory, With Gratitude
Connecticut Begins Penalizing Long-Term Care Facilities Failing to Comply with Governor’s Vaccine Mandate
The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) announced it is issuing the first round of civil penalties to long-term care facilities failing to comply with Governor Ned Lamont’s Executive Order 13F requiring all long-term care facility staff … [Read more...] about Connecticut Begins Penalizing Long-Term Care Facilities Failing to Comply with Governor’s Vaccine Mandate
Affirmed: Negligence and Wrongful Death Cases Against Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Belong in State Court
Declaring “There is no COVID-19 exception to federalism,” the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s dismissal of two negligence and wrongful death cases that nursing home defendants had moved from state court to federal court. … [Read more...] about Affirmed: Negligence and Wrongful Death Cases Against Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Pandemic Belong in State Court